London
Town Guide


Southwark District

SE1
Nearest Tube: London Bridge


This district of south-east London, pronounced "Southerk", is situated on the south bank of the River Thames. It has been settled since Roman times, when the first bridge across the Thames was built here.

For many years Southwark bridge was the main crossing point into London from the south and so the district soon boasted a large number of inns and travellers' lodges to cater for the visitors, and the area is still well known for its public houses.

In the 16th century theatres were banned in The City and so several were soon built in Southwark, including The Swan, The Rose and The Globe. A recently constructed replica of The Globe can be visited in Southwark today.

By the 19th century Southwark had become a bustling, industrialised district, mainly due to its proximity to the busy docks. As a result it became a vast working class residential area which soon gained a notorious reputation as a slum district.

The slums are no longer there, but Southwark does retain a fairly industrial feel to it. Nevertheless in recent years the area has undergone significant re-development and there is plenty of sights to attract the tourist.

The most famous landmark in the district is the world famous Tower Bridge, which spans the River Thames between Southwark and the Tower of London. And on the Southwark side of the river there is the Tower Bridge Experience, telling the story of the building of the bridge.

Other attractions include HMS Belfast, Winston Churchill's Britain at War Experience and London Dungeon. And of course there is also Southwark Cathedral.


Click here for other parts of south-east London


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